Cardiorespiratory System During Bicycle Ergometer Testing in Biathletes and Cross-Country Skiers of the Komi Republic

The purpose of this paper was to compare the physiological parameters of the cardiorespiratory system at rest and during the bicycle ergometer test to exhaustion in biathletes and cross-country skiers to identify the difference in the aerobic performance of athletes of two closely related winter sports. Materials and methods: 18 biathletes and 28 male cross-country skiers aged 17–21 years, all with the rank of the Candidate for Master of Sport, were examined. Bicycle ergometer testing to exhaustion was used (Oxycon Pro, Germany), cardiorespiratory parameters were analysed, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was determined, and the physiological cost of a unit of work was calculated. Results. At rest, a statistically significantly higher level of fitness was revealed in crosscountry skiers compared with biathletes according to such haemodynamic parameters as systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and double product. At maximal load, an increased degree of fitness was found in cross-country skiers in terms of power and duration of bicycle ergometer exercise, cardiac and pulse cost per unit of work, as well as gross and specific VO2 max. The body of cross-country skiers under the test to exhaustion (according to oxygen pulse value) functions more efficiently than the body of biathletes. Thus, higher level of fitness among cross-country skiers of the Komi Republic is manifested in the economization of cardiorespiratory functions both at rest and at maximal ergometric loads, as well as in the value of specific physiological cost per unit of work. Increased functionality (or reserves) of cross-country skiers is indicated by such parameters as systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, double product, respiratory minute volume, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure. It can be assumed that the aerobic performance of biathletes is lower than that of cross-country skiers as the former receive less training in cross-country skiing.